The central mountain range of Bali contains some of the very best scenery and geographical features on the island as well as important temples. No visitor to Bali should miss this area.
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
The area known loosely as Bedugul is right in the heart of the central mountains and is framed by the three large crater lakes of Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (Lake Bratan Temple) is perhaps the most photographed temple on the island and is certainly one of the great iconic images of Bali. The temple sits on the western shore of Lake Bratan and it can give the illusion of actually floating on the water. Built in 1633, the temple is devoted to Dewi Danu, goddess of the lake. A beautiful temple in a truly stunning setting. Open 7 AM to 5 PM, daily and the entrance fee is Rp 5,000.
About 1 km back up the hill from Lake Bratan is the Bukit Mungsu traditional market. The highlands around Bedugul are cool and fertile and there area has become a key growing area for fruit and vegetables including those that demand a cool climate. All manner of very fresh local produce is for sale here as well the spices for which Bali is so well known.
Further west again from the market are the Bali Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya Eka Karya), tel: +62 368 21273 . One of Indonesia's four official botanical gardens. The entrance road is identified by the presence of a giant stone corn on the cob! The gardens are huge covering some 160 hectares and any visitor with an interest in plants and trees could easily spend a whole day here. There is also an informative library and gift shop. Open daily 8 AM to 6 PM, admission price Rp 6,000. Can get very busy during local school holidays.
Photo opportunities and stunning scenery are plentiful in this area but no more so than around the lovely mountain village of Munduk. From Lake Bratan continue north passing Lake Buyan and look for the immediate turn to the west (left) which takes you along the northern shore of Lake Buyan, past Lake Tamblingan to the villages of Munduk and Gobleg. Stop often, take it all in and absorb the truly magnificent scenery.
South and west from Bedugul, Bali's second highest peak Mount Batukaru dominates the landscape. There are many scenic drives in this area centring on the UNESCO World Heritage Site nominated Jati Luwih and the roads into the foothills of the mountain around the villages of Wongayagede, Sanda and Sarinbuana. Arm yourself with a good map and enjoy perhaps the best scenery in the whole of Bali. You can take a walk through the fields, drive through or eat at one of the restaurants with a breathtaking view.
Pura Luhur Batukaru (Batukaru Temple) near Wongayagede village is one of Bali's nine key directional temples and a site of pilgrimage for the Hindu Balinese. Majestically situated on the slopes of Mount Batukaru since the 11th century, this is an especially sacred site, even by Balinese standards and all visitors must carefully read and abide by the temple rules posted clearly at the entrance. The temple is high on the slopes of the mountain and the often misty, drizzly micro-climate here just adds to its undoubtedly mystical atmosphere.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Central Bali
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Central Bali - updated May 2024
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Central Bali Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
